Concerns have been raised after the EU reauthorised poultry and pigs being fed processed animal protein (PAP).
PAP is a rich source of protein that used to be in animal feed but was banned by the EU in 1994 following the BSE crisis.
However, the move has angered the Ulster Union Party (UUP), which claimed it could have serious implications for Northern Irish farmers and consumers.
UUP MLA Robbie Butler said he was “extremely concerned at the prospect of using dead animal protein to feed table-bound animal produce”.
“If the EU wants to lift its ban, that is a matter for the EU. However, given the confusion caused by the NI Protocol, we in Northern Ireland need absolute clarity and certainty that this move has no impact on our highly prized agri-food sector.
“Any suggestion that our agriculture or food standards could be inferior to the rest of the UK would have a devastating impact on our sales to Great Britain, and once that trust is lost, it could take us many years to get it back. It simply cannot be allowed to happen here.”
In Ireland, Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue had reported positively to a standing committee in April on the reauthorising PAP feeding to poultry and pigs. The ban on feeding PAP to cows and sheep will remain.
“It is widely accepted that there is a deficit of proteins available for animal feed in the EU, and the Commission proposal was seen as offering the industry the opportunity to partially replace imported soybean and fish meal with high-quality proteins processed from local animal by-products or insects.”
LSL News.